Garvin Heights Vineyards, Winona, Minnesota

The Seppanen family has long enjoyed traveling and visiting small family wineries. Those travels have taken us to wineries from Florida to Washington and Maine to California, as well as Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria, Quebec, Australia, and New Zealand. In particular we have visited many wineries in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and Nebraska.

We started growing grapes about 20 years ago by ordering four varieties from a seed catalog. In time we joined the Minnesota Grape Growers Association, www.mngrapes.org, and learned of the many other grape varieties suited to our climate. Over the years additional grapes were planted and new vineyards started.

We started the winery building process in 2006 by forming an S corporation, surveying a potential site, and developing a layout for a 28’ x 48’ two level winery building. In August 2006 the federal government granted a bonded winery license using the existing wine making facility in the converted sheep barn. In October 2006 construction was starting on the winery building.

The winery design evokes the image a Finnish lake side cabin but includes a modern sales and event area on the main floor for both wines and accessories and the bonded winery on the lower level. The winery building has been designed to take advantage of a seven mile view over the hills and valleys of the drift less region of southeast Minnesota. The building is fully handicap accessible and equipped with a catering kitchen to support groups of up to 56 people. We are also providing space for outdoor events such as concerts, weddings, vineyard tours, and cross country skiing.

view

Final approval for a Minnesota Farm Wine and the building occupancy were obtained in June 2007 and the winery opened with a dedication ceremony on June 17, 2007 and grand opening on mid-summers eve June 21, 2007.


Our Story

The Seppanen family has long enjoyed traveling and visiting small family wineries. Those travels have taken us to wineries from Florida to Washington and Maine to California, as well as Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria, Quebec, Australia, and New Zealand. In particular we have visited many wineries in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and Nebraska. We started growing grapes about 20 years ago by ordering four varieties from a seed catalog. In time we joined the Minnesota Grape Growers Association, www.mngrapes.org, and learned of the many other grape varieties suited to our climate. Over the years additional grapes were planted and new vineyards started.
We started the winery building process in 2006 by forming an S corporation, surveying a potential site, and developing a layout for a 28’ x 48’ two level winery building. In August 2006 the federal government granted a bonded winery license using the existing wine making facility in the converted sheep barn. In October 2006 construction was starting on the winery building.


The winery design evokes the image a Finnish lake side cabin but includes a modern sales and event area on the main floor for both wines and accessories and the bonded winery on the lower level. The winery building has been designed to take advantage of a seven mile view over the hills and valleys of the drift less region of southeast Minnesota. The building is fully handicap accessible and equipped with a catering kitchen to support groups of up to 56 people. We are also providing space for outdoor events such as concerts, weddings, vineyard tours, and cross country skiing.

Final approval for a Minnesota Farm Wine and the building occupancy were obtained in June 2007 and the winery opened with a dedication ceremony on June 17, 2007 and grand opening on mid-summers eve June 21, 2007.